Shamar Joseph couldn’t even walk on Saturday evening.
The West Indies seamer, playing just his second Test match, copped an inswinging yorker from Australian quick Mitchell Starc on day three of the pink-ball Gabba Test, forced to retire hurt.
But less than 24 hours later, Joseph produced a career-defining spell to rip through Australia’s top order and put the West Indies within touching distance of its first Test victory on Australian soil since 1997.
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The 24-year-old claimed a six-wicket haul in the afternoon session of day four, turning the Gabba Test on its head after the hosts were seemingly cruising towards a series whitewash.
Australia, chasing a 216-run target for victory, had scratched its way towards 2-113 when Joseph snared the crucial breakthrough of all-rounder Cameron Green, chopped on for 42. The right-armer unearthed some additional bounce from the deck, with the Kookaburra ricocheting off Green’s elbow back onto the pegs.
“That foot must be stinging, but that must be a stinging blow for Australia,” former Test spinner Kerry O’Keeffe said on Fox Cricket commentary.
“Door fractionally ajar.”
Joseph found himself on a hat-trick after knocking over Travis Head the following delivery for a golden duck, producing an unplayable yorker from around the wicket and that clipped off stump.
“This guy is electric, Shamar Joseph – remember the name,” former England bowler Isa Guha continued.
“Outstanding in Adelaide, outstanding here at the Gabba. He’s giving his side a chance.”
Fifteen minutes later, Joseph found the outside edge of Mitchell Marsh’s bat, with the slips cordon completing a juggling catch after Alick Athanaze parried the ball towards Justin Greaves.
Then in his following over, the Guyanese quick toppled Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey with another peach from around the wicket, seaming the ball away from the left-hander and hitting off stump. Joseph suddenly had figures of 4-29 and Australia was in dire straits at 6-136.
Starc’s toe-crusher sees Shamar retire | 01:13
“This young fella is creating history here today,” former Black Caps wicketkeeper Ian Smith said.
“This is just out of this world.
“Absolutely astonishing.”
Mitchell Starc clobbered 21 in an entertaining counterpunch before Joseph secured his five-wicket haul in the 41st over, with debutant Kevin Sinclair swallowing the top-edged slog at cover.
“This is just unbelievable,” West Indies legend Brian Lara said.
“Busted toe … he’s brought the West Indies right back into this contest.
“Whatever happens, this has been a truly wonderful performance by the West Indians.
“He’s just been tremendous.
“What a champion.”
Joseph then picked up his sixth just before the dinner break, catching the outside edge of Aussie skipper Pat Cummins, with wicket-keeper Josh Da Silva taking a sharp diving catch.
Joseph told Fox Cricket during the drinks break: “Just great words of encouragement from my teammates.
“They keep building me and keep encouraging me to stay strong … even though I have the pain, I’ll work with it.
“It feels great, I just want to keep on taking wickets and encourage my team that we can win this Test match.”
The previous evening, Joseph had been taken for scans after Starc’s yorker left him unable to walk, with blood oozing from the big toe on his right foot.
The young bowler, who claimed a five-wicket haul on Test debut during last week’s series opener at Adelaide Oval, did not join his teammates on the field when the match resumed on Sunday afternoon, running out after about 20 minutes of play. He was thrown the Kookaburra in the 29th over, and began wreaking havoc on his eleventh delivery of the day.
“It’s great for the game. The West Indies have given us so much joy in the Tests they’ve played,” Ashes icon Michael Vaughan said.
“Shamar Joseph, we were ruling him out last night with that blow with the toe … he’s now on a hat-trick.
“It’s great to see the West Indies have found a few … They’ve got the talent and the heart to play at this level.”